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Poland Ends US Field Hockey Men's World Cup Dream, 5-1

Edinburgh, Scotland - Poland exploded for four second half goals reroute a 5-1 victory over the U.S men's field hockey team at the World World Cup Qualifying Tournament at Peffermill Stadiuman, and put an end to the U.S. hopes for a berth in the 2002  World Cup.

      After battling the scrappy U.S. team to a 1-1 draw at halftime, Poland erupted for two goals in three minutes to open the second half and drop the U.S. to 1-2 at the tournament. The 12th place team at the 2000 Olympics, Poland (3-0) went undefeated in Pool D and will join second place Canada (2-1) in moving to the next round and a possible spot in next year's World Cup. Russia (0-3) completed the first round of pool play in fourth place.

      The top seven teams at the Qualifier advance to the 2002 World Cup, March 4-16, 2002 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

      The losses dashes the U.S, hopes for an appearance in the World Cup, and sends the team to Pool E for a chance to play for 9th-16th place in the final standings. Joining the U.S. in Pool E will be France (3rd place Pool B), the loser of Saturday's Scotland/Chile match (4th Pool C) and the 4th place team from Pool A.

      Poland standout Artur Mikula put Poland on the scoreboard with a field goal past USA keeper Andrew Duncan just three minutes into the game.  After surviving more of the Poland attack early in the first half, the U.S. was quick to counter when Shawn Nakamura netted a penalty stroke past Polish goalkeeper Marcin Pobuta to pull the U.S. even in the 12th minute.

      It was a close as the U.S. would get however as Poland struck for a pair of goals in the first six minutes of the second half. Poland added two goals at the 54 and 69 minute marks to secure the win.

   Members of the team include Jang Badhesha (Santa Clara, Calif.), Rinku Bhamber (Simi Valley, Calif.), Kyle Brantner (Simi Valley, Calif.), Patrick Cota     (Camarillo, Calif.), Steve Danielson (San Diego, Calif.), Andrew Duncan (Edmonton, Alberta), Logan Hargett (Ventura, Calif.),  Pat Harris (Moorpark, Calif.), Shawn Hindy   (Westlake Village, Calif.), Binh Hoang (Westlake, Calif.), Daraspreet Kainth (Fullerton, Calif.),  Koijan Kainth (Fullerton, Calif.), Ryan Langford (Camarillo, Calif.), Jarred Martin (Saratoga Springs, NY), Shawn Nakamura (Camarillo, Calif.), Todd Robinson (Ventura, Calif.),    Daljeet Sagoo (Fullerton, Calif.), Mike Schanafelt (Camarillo, Calif.).

   The game marked the first international appearance for goalkeeper Brantner who relieves starter Duncan in the 64th minute.

   The U.S. returns to action on Sunday against the 4th place team from Pool A.

at Edinburgh, Scotland

Poland 5, USA 1

POL: Artur Mikula (fg, 3:00)
USA: Shawn Nakamura (ps, 12:00)
POL: Artur Mikula (fg, 38:00)
POL: (fg, 41:00)
POL: Marcin Strykowski (fg, 54:00)
POL: Slawomir Choczaj (fg, 69:00)

USA Starters: Rhinku Bhamber, Pat Cota, Steve Danielson, Andrew Duncan (gk), Pat Harris, Shawn Hindy, Binh Hoang, Ryan Langford, Jarred Martin, Shawn Nakamura, Mike Shanafelt

SUBS: Jang Badhesha, Daraspreet Kainth, Koijan Kainth, Todd Robinson, Kyle Brantner (gk)